Outlines of Lacanian therapy

Okay, so imagine this a child acting outright. Okay, maybe throwing tantrums refusing to go to school Mm-hmm. Let's not see that as a problem to be solved right, right? But what if those behaviors were actually clues a way of communicating something much deeper even yeah That's the kind of detective work We're doing today as we deep dive into the world of Lacanian psychoanalysis and how it understands child psychopathology That's a great way to put it. We're not just looking at surface level diagnoses here We're going beyond the label of ADHD or anxiety to uncover the hidden reasons the Unconscious desires and anxieties that might be driving a child's behavior and we're working with some fascinating material for this deep dive, right? Absolutely. We've got this academic thesis Where a researcher interviewed practicing Lacanian analysts Getting their unique insights into how they work with children and to make sure we're all speaking the same language We'll be referring to a dictionary of Lacanian terms along the way perfect because I have a feeling we're gonna encounter some pretty Dense concepts here. So before we get in too deep, let's do a quick level set. Who exactly was Jacques Lacan? I'll admit I'm a bit rusty on my psychoanalytic theory. Don't worry Lacan can make anyone's head spin to put it simply He was a French psychoanalyst who built on Freud's work, but took it in a whole new direction He was particularly interested in language symbols and how those things shape our unconscious mind Especially in childhood. So let's about what kids are consciously thinking and more about those hidden forces at play beneath the surface Exactly. And one of the key things these Lacanian analysts were talking about is How the way we view children today the whole cultural context they're growing up in can actually contribute to their struggles They use this striking phrase his majesty the baby to describe how children are often treated now, okay I'm already intrigued now. You see this his majesty phenomenon everywhere kids dictating restaurant choices vacations planned around nap times But I'm guessing there's a deeper layer to it than just indulgent parenting You got it The analysts are not saying that it's wrong to cater to your kids what they're interested in is what this constant catering tells the child About their place in the world. They're the center of attention constantly bombarded with messages about enjoyment consumerism Happiness comes from having the right things being the perfect kid all that creates a certain kind of pressure It's like they're on this pedestal But it's also a pressure cooker at the same time and then you layer on all the technology That's got a factor into things too, right? Absolutely. This is a huge area of concern for the analysts They talked about how screens are increasingly replacing those physical outlets for children's natural drives and energy Instead of running around outside getting into screeps, maybe having a little healthy aggression kids are getting stuck in these internal worlds fueled by fantasy and instant gratification So we've got this his majesty the baby phenomenon the constant presence of technology It's like kids today are growing up in a totally different world than we did With all these new pressures and influences shaping their development exactly and this is where it gets really interesting from a Lacanian perspective because instead of just seeing a child's symptoms the tantrums the anxieties as Problems to be eliminated these analysts see them as the child's attempt to communicate something deeper something about that internal world They're navigating wait, so a kid acting out isn't just being bad There's a message in there somewhere But it's not a message. They're even aware of sending. Yeah, got it And the meaning of that message what it's really about is totally unique to that child their history their unconscious desires it's not like there's a universal dictionary or tantrum always means this or Refusal to eat always means that so context is everything their individual history their family dynamics this whole cultural pressure cooker We've been talking about it all plays a part precisely the thesis actually gives a really interesting example about biting Okay biting go on so imagine two kids who are both biting one is diagnosed with psychosis the other with neurosis Now a more traditional approach might just see biting as the problem behavior and try to stop it But these Lacanian analysts would say Hold on. What does biting mean in each of these cases? What's the context? What might those children be trying to communicate through this act that's fascinating because it goes against that urge We have to just label and fix things quickly, which I guess is a big part of what makes the Lacanian approach So unique exactly and that's a perfect segue to the next thing these analysts emphasized So we're talking about a completely different way of listening a different way of understanding what's going on with a child who's struggling Exactly these Lacanian analysts were very clear about this Psychoanalysis isn't about forcing kids to fit into some preset idea of normal It's about helping them navigate their own WN path Even if it's unconventional even if it looks messy from the outside and that's where their whole Emphasis on treating the subject comes in right you said that earlier and I have to admit It's one of those Lacanian terms that makes me go. Okay need a bit more on that fair enough It can sound a little abstract basically it means recognizing that each child isn't just a child with a lowercase C But a unique individual with their own unconscious desires anxieties and a whole history that shaped how they see the world So it's about understanding the individual not just trying to shoehorn them into a box Hmm, I'm starting to see how that ties into this idea of putting demand aside, which you also mentioned earlier But how does that actually play out in therapy? So imagine a child who's always pressured to get good grades a Lacanian therapist wouldn't push them to talk about their report card Instead they might create a space where the child chooses to draw and through that drawing their anxieties about performance or Maybe a hidden passion. They're neglecting can emerge organically. It's like giving kids permission to just be big which seems almost revolutionary into these world of Constant achievement and pressure to perform absolutely and that emphasis on creating that space that freedom is deeply tied to their ethics These analysts were very aware of the power imbalance between adult and child their ethics are all about respecting the child's pace their way of Communicating not imposing adult interpretations on their experiences. You said constructing a just place for their desire. That's powerful. But practically speaking What does that look like in therapy? How does an analyst actually do that? Yeah, it's about careful listening It's about paying attention Not just to what the child says but how they play what they draw the stories they tell and it's about creating a space where they Feel safe enough to let those unconscious thoughts and feelings bubble to the surface So we connect all this back to the challenges kids are facing today that his majesty the baby Pressures the constant surveillance the technology. How does that fit into this Lacanian view? Remember how Lacan emphasized the importance of language and symbols and shaping our unconscious player These analysts argued that the dominant language kids are immersed in today is the language of technology consumerism instant gratification And that's bound to have a profound impact on their inner world It's like they're being programmed from day one with a certain set of values a certain way of seeing themselves in the world Precisely and if we combine that with this pressure to be perfect to be the source of their parents enjoyment It can create a lot of internal conflict for kids. They're trying to live up to these external demands while also Navigating their own desires which might be totally different and this is where symptoms come in Right as a child's way of trying to communicate that struggle that conflict. They're not just being difficult They're trying to tell us something in the best way. They know how exactly and it's important to remember what we said earlier Each symptom is unique. There's no one-size-fits-all interpretation You have to consider the whole picture the child's history their family dynamics the cultural context is complex So it's like a complex puzzle where you have to look at all the pieces together to understand the bigger picture No shortcuts, no easy answers. It makes you wonder if symptoms are a form of communication What happens we just try to silence them without understanding message That's the crucial question These analysts are raising they would argue that we risk missing out on the child's truth their unique way of being in the world And we might even make things worse by trying to force them into a mold that doesn't fit Silencing the very message they're trying to convey. That's a powerful thought Yeah, we often talk about the importance of listening to children, but this goes even deeper, right? It's about listening to what's beneath their words their behaviors and recognizing that those behaviors might be serving a purpose Even if it's one we don't immediately understand right and that's what makes the lieutenant approach so unique. It's not about Imposing solutions or trying to make children conform to some pre-existing idea of normal It's about creating a space where they can discover their own truth their own way of being in the world Even if it's messy, even if it's unconventional This has been an incredible deep dive so far this Lacanian perspective is really making me think about things in a new way We've explored how these analysts see today's kids the pressures they face and how those pressures might be linked to their struggles We've also seen how they don't just look at symptoms as problems to be fixed But as clues to something deeper something unique to each individual child and we've touched on how their approach is all about respecting the child's Subjectivity creating a space where their own desire can emerge without judgment or demands It's about helping them navigate their own path Even if it's unconventional by truly listening and trying to understand their unique inner world We've covered a lot of ground already, but you know, it's fascinating to me We barely scratched the surface of what these analysts had to say They also talked about the specific techniques they use in therapy with children the challenges they face Working with both the child and the parents it's like a whole other layer to this detective work we're doing absolutely For example, did you know that Lacanian analysts place a huge emphasis on play in therapy? But it's not about just letting the child have fun They see play as a way for the child's unconscious to express itself symbolically So we're talking about play in therapy, but not just any kind of play. This is like play with a deeper purpose Yeah, it's a way to unlock those unconscious thoughts and feelings. We've been discussing right think of it this way A child might not be able to articulate their anxieties or traumas directly But those feelings can come out through play in the stories they create the way they interact with the toys It's like a secret language. They're speaking that makes total sense So give me an example, what might a Lacanian analyst be looking for when they're observing a child at play? Let's say the child is playing with a dollhouse a Lacanian therapist wouldn't just see a child arranging furniture They'd be looking for those subtle clues Maybe the child always puts one doll in a separate room or maybe there's a recurring theme of conflict or abandonment In the stories they create with the dolls. It's like those details become really significant It's not just about the dolls themselves, but the meaning the child is projecting on to them Exactly. And what's fascinating is that the therapist might use play themselves Not to direct the child's play but to offer a different kind of response. Maybe even a bit of a challenge It's about creating a space where the child can safely explore those unconscious dynamics This is all so different from what most people picture when they think of therapies not just sitting on a couch talking about your problem Right Lacanian therapists use a variety of tools play drawing storytelling They might even use silence as a way to create space for the child to reflect process without feeling pressured to talk Silence, I'd imagine that takes some getting used to for both the therapist and the child it can be powerful though Think about it in our busy world kids are constantly bombarded with stimulation with language Silence offers a rare opportunity to just be to let those unconscious thoughts and feelings bubble to the surface I'm starting to see that this Lacanian approach Really values creating that space that freedom from demands and expectations Which can be so rare for kids today Exactly, and that brings us to another important aspect of this approach the role of the parents Okay, so we've been talking a lot about the child's inner world But obviously families play a huge role in the child's development how to Lacanian analysts approach that they were very clear about this You can't really understand a child struggles without understanding the family system They're part of the parents aren't just there to provide information. They're active participants in the therapeutic process so it's not about blaming the parents or seeing them as the cause of the child's problems, but Recognizing that there's this whole dynamic at play right and sometimes parents come into therapy with their own unconscious desires and anxieties That might be influencing the child Maybe they're unconsciously trying to mold the child into a certain image or maybe they're struggling with their own unresolved issues That are playing out in the family dynamic That sounds incredibly complex to navigate what kinds of challenges did these analysts talk about facing when it comes to working with parents one big One is managing expectations Parents often come to therapy wanting their child to be fixed to conform to certain norms But remember Lacanian psychoanalysis is not about that It's about helping the child find their own path Even if it's unconventional even if it doesn't fit those preconceived notions of what normal looks like So the therapist has to walk this tightrope Helping the parents understand this different approach this different way of seeing their child while also respecting their love and concern Exactly and that requires building trust creating a collaborative relationship where everyone feels heard and respected It's not always easy. I can imagine this has been an incredible journey into the world of Lacanian psychoanalysis It's definitely challenged my own assumptions about how we understand and approach child psychopathology Me too. What stands out to you is the biggest takeaway from all of this I think it's the radical shift in perspective this approach offers We're so used to seeing behaviors as problems to be fixed but these Lacanian analysts are urging us to listen deeper to understand that those behaviors might be a form of Communication a way for the child to express their truth their unique way of being in the world Beautifully put and that requires a different kind of listening a willingness to sit with uncertainty to respect the child's subjectivity Even if we don't always understand it and I think that's a message we could all use right now whether we're parents educators Or simply human beings trying to navigate a complex world Thank you so much for taking us on this incredible deep dive. It's been my pleasure